Fluid operable power device for well operations



Aug. 29, 1961 G. D. JOHNSON ETAL FLUID OPERABLE POWER DEVICE FOR WELLOPERATIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 8, 1957 INVENTORS GAE/UM 0.cO/M/SOA/ EGO/V 1?. ISM/0616! ATTO/QA/EJ/S.

1951 G. D. JOHNSON ET AL 2,998,084

FLUID OPERABLE POWER DEVICE FOR WELL OPERATIONS Filed July 8, 1957 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOIQ; 6451/ a. 02/0/50 Arm/mans.

Aug. 29, 196 G. D. JOHNSON ETAL FLUID OPERABLE POWER DEVICE FOR WELLOPERATIONS Filed July 8, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 a i a INVENTORS GAE/V ,0.clozm/s'o/i/ [60M 19. lm/aaezw fz g- 1961 G. D. JOHNSON ET AL 2,998,084

FLUID OPERABLE POWER DEVICE FOR WELL OPERATIONS Filed July 8, 1957 5Sheets-Sheet 4 [60M 4?, l/A/DGPE/V INVENTORE ArraQ/z/Ers ted tates Thisinvention relates to a fluid operable power device for well operationsand equipment and more particularly to a composite variable speed fluidoperable power device for transmitting torque to a drilling string andadapted to be suspended as a unit from a well derrick above a well holeor to be mounted in a derrick platform for use as a rotary table.

Generally speaking, this invention contemplates a fluid operable powerdevice comp-rising a top swivel section mounted for rotation and havinga swivel mandrel depending therefrom. Separably attached to the swivelsection and surrounding the swivel mandrel is a power section includinga plurality of fluid operable motors arranged to drive through a gearmeans, a rotary sleeve member provided with a tapered seat upon whichmay be positioned, for example, a kelly bushing through which the swivelmandrel is operably sleeved. When the swivel section and power sectionare interconnected in assembly and suspended as a unit from a travelingblock, torque reaction means are provided to connect the power device toa fixed portion of the drilling rig or derrick. In such interconnectedassembly the composite power device may deliver torque to a drillingstring and may facilitate assembly and disassembly of pipe in thestring. The power section and swivel section may be independentlyemployed and separated and when combined with an adapter device, thepower section may be used in a platform of a drilling rig so as tooperate as a rotary table while the swivel section is used in normalmanner between a traveling block and the drilling string. The separablepower and swivel sections generally described above provide numerousadvantages in meeting various conditions encountered in well drillingoperations.

An object of this invention is to disclose and provide a fluid operablepower device for well equipment embodying a novel arrangement andconstruction of composite separable power and swivel sections.

An object of this invention is to disclose and provide a fluid operablepower section provided with a fluid control system for producingvariable speed and torque so as to readily and conveniently adjust thepower means to variable drilling conditions.

Another object of this invention is to disclose and provide a novelpower device for well operations wherein said power means is designedand arranged to facilitate assembly of a pipe drilling string.

A further object of this invention is to disclose and provide acomposite power device in which a torque resistance means is utilized torestrain the power means against rotation when suspended in a derrickand includes means carried by the torque resistance means to facilitateassembly and disassembly of pipe over a well hole.

A more specific object of this invention is to disclose and provide apower section including a plurality of fluid operable motors and arotary sleeve member driven by said fluid motors, said power sectionhaving an adapter device permitting use of said power section as arotary table, said rotary member having a tapered seat for accommodatingadapter members of different construction for transmitting torque forcesto a swivel mandrel or to war Patented Aug. 29, 1961 part of a drillingstring associated with the swivel mandrel. I

Numerous other objects and advantages of thisinve ntion will be readilyapparent from the following description of the drawings in whichexemplary embodiments of the invention are shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a well derrick equipped witha composite power device embodying this invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an operative positionof pipe make-up means shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is afragmentary elevational view showing a pipe latch means usedwith the pipe make-up means shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the power device shown inFIG. 1, the view being partly in section, the section being taken in avertical plane passing through the axis of the power means.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged partially sectional View of the powerdevice shown in FIG. 4 with the power section adapted for use as arotary table, a kelly bushing adapter member being shown.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the same plane as FIG. 5showing the power section with an adapter member for cooperation withpipe slips.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of torque-resisting means shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the power section separatedfrom the power swivel 'as when the power section is used as a rotarytable.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating fluid control means for thepower means shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1 a well drilling rig fragmentarily shown may comprise a wellderrick 15 including a platform 16. A traveling block 17 may besuspended from derrick 15 in a well known manner and includes a suitablehook means 18 carrying a bail 19 which may be connected in any suitablewell known manner to a composite fluid operable power device 20embodying this invention. The power device 20 is illustrated asconnected to a drilling string 22 for imparting torque thereto. Thepower device 20 may be connected to a conduit 23 for circulation ofdrilling fluid or mud through the well hole and drilling string. Torquereaction transmitting means 24 including torque colume or member 25 isprovided to hold the power device against rotation when torque isapplied to the drilling string.

The composite power device 20 is best described by reference to FIG. 4.Power device 20 may comprise an upper swivel section generally indicatedat 28 and a lower power or driving section generally indicated at 29,said swivel and power sections being readily connected together orseparated for operation under various drilling conditions. The swivelsection 28 may include a swivel housing 30 comprising an upper housingportion 31 and a lower housing portion 32 interconnected as byinterengaged threads at 33. The upper housing portion 31 may be providedwith a top externally threaded portion 34 having a threaded connectionwith a support and hose fitting 35. Fitting 35 is provided with aninternally threaded tapered socket 36 for threaded connection to ahanger member 37 which may be secured to and supported by bail means 19.The fitting 35 may be provided with a goose neck passageway 38 affordingcommunication with mud conduit 23 and with the internal passageway of adrilling string through the power means as hereafter described.

The upper swivel housing portion 31 carries an inner axial rotatablesleeve 40 having its top open end in communication with passageway 38.Between sleeve mem ber 45) and housing portion 31 may be provided acylindrical packing 41 retained at its top by a packing ring 42 securedto and carried by the top edge of threaded portion 34 of the housingportion 31.

Supported within the swivel housin 36 for rotation may be a swivelmandrel 44 provided with a swivel head 45 antifrictionally supportedwithin swivel housing 30. The swivel head 45 includes an enlargedshoulder portion 46 providing a downwardly directed annular face 47opposed to an upwardly directed annular face 48 on the bottom swivelhousing portion 32. The faces 47 and 48 provide seats for a thrustbearing means 49 for sup porting the swivel mandrel 44, Spaced ballbearing means 50 and 51 may be provided between swivel head 45 and theupper housing portion 31 and lower housing portion 3 2 toantifrictionally mount the swivel mandrel head 45 for rotation therein.The top of mandrel head 45 may receive the lower end of the sleevemember 49 which may be provided with an external annular rib 54cooperating with securement and packing means 54a to retain and positionthe sleeve 40 in coaxial relation with the mandrel. Seal means 55 may beprovided at the bottom of housing portion 3 2 for sealing against thelower portion of swivel head 45. The swivel mandrel 44 is provided withan axial through bore 56 in communication with the sleeve member 40 andwith passageway 38 and is r'otatably mounted within the swivel housmg.

The swivel mandrel 44 may include an intermediate section 58 ofpolygonal or square cross section so as to provide a driving connectionwith the power section 29 as later described. Below intermediate squaresection 58 the swivel mandrel 44 may include a cylindrical bottomportion 59 provided at its end with tapered external threads 60, saidthreads 60 being adapted for connection to internal threads provided ona coupling on a drilling string or the threads at the end of a pipesection.

The power section 29 may include a bottom generally bowl shaped housing64 and an upper housing 65 of generally L-section, said housing 64 and65 being connected together by suitable bolt assemblies not shown. Theupper housing 65 of L-section may include an upstanding cylindrical wall66 integral with a horizontally and outwardly extending wall 67 ofrelatively thick section, said walls 66 and 67 being reinforced byexternal Webs 68 spaced circumferentially around wall 66. Thecylindrical wall 66 may be connected'to the bottom portion of swivelhousing portion 32 by suitable bolt assemblies 69. The wall 67 mayextend inwardly of wall 66 to provide an annular seat 70 for a bottomrace 71 of a tapered roller bearing means 72, said bearing means 72having an upper race 73 seated against a downwardly facing annularshoulder 74 provided on a driven rotary sleeve member 76. The rotarymember 76 includes an upper head portion extending upwardly from withinthe cylindrical wall 66 of the housing 65 into thelower hollow bottomportion of the swivel housing 32. Packing or seal means 77 may beprovided between the external cylindrical surface of the top portion ofthe rotary member 76 and opposite internal cylindrical surfaces on wall66.

The upper portion 78 of the rotary member 76 may include an internaltapered seat 79 adapted to receive selected adapter members forinterconnecting the sleeve member 76 in operable relation to a drillstring; in this example, a kelly bushing 80 is shown. The head portion78 includes an internal upwardly facing annular recess 81 adapted toreceive a top circumferential flange 82 on kelly bushing 80. Top flange8 2 of the kelly bushing may be provided with diametrically opposed keyslots 83 to receive a key 84 secured by a set screw 85 to fix the kellybushing 80 in'head portion 78. The kelly bushing'80 includes a throughbore 86 having a section corresponding to the polygonal section 58 ofthe swivel mandrel and receives section 58 therein in driving engagementtherewith.

The rotary member 76 includes a tubular portion 88 depending from thehead portion 78 and provided at its lower end with a seat 89 for -'aball bearing means 90 which may also be seated on a lower section of thepower housing 64. The rotary member 76 is thus rotatably supported inalignment with the axis of the swivel mandrel 44. A lower skirt 91 ofpower housing 64 may carry an adapter member or spool 92 securedthereinto as by stud bolts 93, said adapter spool '92 affordingconnection to means such as tubing heads and blow out preventors whensaid power section is used as a rotary table. Between spool 92 and thelowermost portion of the tube 88 may be provided suitable seal orpacking means 94, said spool 9'2 having an annular recess t0 carrysaidseal means 94.

The power housing 64 may be provided with circumferentially spacedrecesses within which may be supported fluid motors dill, each fluidmotor being connected to a motor mounting plate 102 secured to top wall193 of the recess 100 by bolt assemblies 1G4. Each fluid motor isprovided with an upwardly directed motor shaft 165 having an axisparallel to the axis of the rotary member and which extends into a keyedbore 106 of a pinion gear 167. Pinion gear 107 may be supported in alower bearing means 108 carried by wall 103 and upper bearing means 109carried by wall 67 of the L-shaped housing 65. The pinion gear 107 isprovided with a plurality of longitudinally extending teeth havingmeshed'eng'agement as at 110 with external teeth of a spindle ring gear111. The ring gear 111 may be secured to tube 88 of 'the rotary spindlemember 76 by seating an inner hub 112 thereof against a shoulder 113 onthe external surface of tube 88 and by securing hub 112 thereagainst bya collar 114'threaded at 115 on tube 88. A key 114' secures gear 111 andtube 88 against relative rotation. Suitable lock means, not shown, maybe employed to lock collar 114 against rotation. As a fluid motor 161 isdriven bypressure fluid as later described, it will be readily apparentthat pinion gear 107 drives ring gear 111 to rotate the rotary member 76to drive the swivel mandrel through the kelly bushing in rotation.

An oil pump for lubricating the several bearing means carried by thepower section may comprise a pump means 118 carried within housing64-and provided with a gear 119 having engagement with teeth of the ringgear '112. A tube 120 provided with a filter device 121 may providemeans for circulation through suitable conduits of lubricating oilthroughout the power housing 64.

When the power device 20 is suspended from a traveling block 17 asshownin FIG. 1, means are provided for restraining the power deviceagainst rotation during operation. The means includes a torque member orcolumn 25 which may be secured at its bottom as at 125 to platform '16in suitable manner. The torque column 25 may be of any selected lengthand of polygonal section illustrated as square section and secured atits top to a securement means 126- which may comprise a cylindricalelement connected as by arms 127 to the well derrick 15. The torquecolumn 25 is disposed parallel to the axis of the drilling string orwellhole and in selected spaced relation thereto.

The torque means 24 interconnects the power housing of the power deviceto the torque column 25 to restrain rotation of the power device and isafforded vertical movement relative to the torque column 26. The means24 is best shown in FIG. 7 and may comprise a pair of torque arms 129 ofany suitable metal section illustrated as an I-section. At one end, eacharm '1 is provided with spaced ported brackets 130 each adapted to beinterposed between spaced pairs ofiported lugs 131 carried'by the powerhousing. Apin 132 extending through the ported brackets'130 and lugs1'31 serves'to'seoure each arm 129 to the power housing. The outer endsof arms 129 may each be provided with ported flange extensions 134, andported spaced ends 135 of an interconnecting member 136 may be alignablypositioned therewith for reception of securement pins 137. The member136 may be of any suitable construction including longitudinally spacedWebs 138 provided with top and bottom flanges 139 of suitableconfiguration to provide necessary strength. Intermediate the ends ofmember 136 the webs 138 and top and bottom flanges 139 are connected toa central means 140 forming four chambers 141 disposed around the column25 and having inner openings facing the column 25. Within each chamber141 may be disposed a roller 143 antifrictionally mounted on horizontalaxles 144 carried by the means 140 so that the cylindrical face of eachroll 143 may rollably engage a longitudinal face 145 of the torquecolumn 25. Thus, as the power device is vertically moved above the wellhole, the torque arm may ride in rolling engagement with torque column25 and restrain the power device against rotation at any verticalposition thereof.

Means to facilitate assembly and disassembly of a pipe string may becarried by the torque column 25 and may be used in association with thepower device when the device is suspended from a traveling block. Themeans for assembly and disassembly of pipe may comprise a pipe carriermeans including a bottom horizontally extending member 148 connected tothe bottom of torque column 25 by a cylindrical collar 149antifrictionally mounted so as to permit relative swinging movement ofarm 148 with respect to torque column 25. The outer end of horizontalbottom member 148 may be provided with an upwardly facing hollow socket150 adapted to receive the bottom end of a pipe length 151.

At the top of torque column 25 may be provided a top horizontaldownwardly offset member 153 having a collar 154 antifrictionallymounted at the top of column 25 for relative rotation therewith. Theouter lower off-set portion 155 of member 153 may be interconnected withthe bottom member 148 by a vertical memher 156 so that top and bottommembers 153 and 148 may move together. The outer end of portion 155 maycarry a U-shaped member 157 having an opening 158 through which an upperportion of a pipe length 151 may be moved.

The U-shaped member 157 may be provided with a pipe-retaining latchelement 159 adjacent the opening 158 so as to retain the upper portionof a pipe length therewithin. The latch element 159 may extend throughthe inner leg of member 157 for pivotal connection at 160 with a bracket161 carried by the leg. The element 159 may be integral with a latch arm162 provided with a connection at 163 to a depending release cord 164which depends to a height to permit convenient grasping by an operatorstanding on platform 16. The latch arm 162 may be biased by a spring(not shown) into latched position so that the latch element 159 will benormally closed and will be releasable upon a downward pull given to therelease cord 164. The manner of operation of the pipe carrier meansdescribed above will be explained later.

A fluid means or system for controlling the speed and torque of thepower device 20 is shown in FIG. 9, which includes a schematic diagramof the variable fluid control means. This fluid control means providesin effect a hydraulic transmission permitting selection of variablespeeds from 0 to maximum r.p.m. of the power device and to vary theamount of torque produced by the fluid motors. In FIG. 9 a prime moveror engine indicated at 170 may be connected through a coupling 171 to aplurality of hydraulic pumps 1720, 172b, and 172C, arranged in tandemand of selected gear face size, for example,

pump 172a may be a 3" pump and pumps 17% and 172c may be 1 /2" pumps.Each of the pumps is provided with suction lines 173a, 173b and 173a toa reservoir of supply of hydraulic fluid indicated at 174. The dischargeof pump 172a may be connected to a feed line 175 which is connected atits other end to a four way hydraulically operated spring loaded opencenter valve 176. The valve 176 is connected to motor conduit lines 177and 178 which connect the fluid operable motors 101 in parallel. In theschematic diagram two fluid motors 101 are shown although it isunderstood that one or more fluid motors may be employed. The valve 176is provided with a discharge line 179 connected to reservoir 174.

Pump 17% is connected to a feed line 175k which may be connected at 180to the feed line 175 of the pump 172a. Similarly pump 1720 is connectedto a feed line 1750 which is connected to the feed line 175 at 181between the four-way valve 176 and the connection 180 of line 1751)thereto. Each of said feed lines 1751) and 1750 may be provided withsuitable check valves 182 and 183 respectively. Each of the feed lines1751) and 1750 may be provided with pilot pressure controlled unloadingor relief valves 184 and 185 respectively, each of said relief valvesbeing set to unload fluid in their respective feed lines at preselectedpressures and to return fluid through lines 186 and 187 to reservoir174. The feed line 175 may be similarly provided with a relief valve 189to discharge fluid at a selected pressure through line 190 to reservoir174. For purposes of an exemplary description the pump 172a may deliverfluid at 45 gallons per minute at 1500 p.s.i. and relief valve 189 isset to discharge at pressure exceeding 1500 p.s.i. Pump 1721: maydeliver fluid at 22.5 gallons per minute up to 970 lbs. p.s.i. andunloading valve 184 will open at pressures about 970 p.s.i. Pump 1720may deliver fluid at 670 psi. at 22.5 g.p.m. and unloading valve 185will relieve fluid pressure when it exceeds 675 p.s.i. Below pressuresof 675 p.s.i the combined oil delivery of pumps 172a, 172b and 1720 istherefore 90 g.p.m.

The variable fluid control means also includes an auxiliary low pressuregear pump 192 driven through suitable pulley drive means 193 from thedrive between the engine 170 and the pump 172a. The low pressure pump192 is provided with a suction line 195 in communication with reservoir174. The auxiliary pump 192 may discharge into a fluid control line 194which may be connected to an engine throttle pilot valve 196, a forward,neutral, and reverse pilot valve 197 and a speed change control valve198, each of said valves having discharge lines leading to reservoir174. The control line 194 is also provided with a relief valve 200, inthis example, set to relieve pressure in excess of 50 p.s.i. and todischarge through line 201 into the reservoir 174. A gage 202 isprovided in line 194 to record pressure of the auxiliary pump 192.

Each of the pilot valves 196, 197, 198 may be electrically operatedsolenoid type valves. Throttle pilot valve 196 may be a four-way valveand may be connected to a throttle switch means 204 through electricleads 205 in well known manner. Similarly pilot valve 197 may be afour-way valve connected to switch means 206 through electric leads 207.Valve 198 may be connected to switch means 208 through an electric lead209, said valves being grounded at 210. Any suitable electrical powersource such as a battery 211 may be provided for supplying current tothe switch means 204, 206, and 208.

The pilot valve 197 is connected through low pressure fluid pilot lines213 and 214 to the four-way valve 176.

The throttle pilot valve 196 may be connected through lines 216 and 216ato opposite ends of a double acting fluid cylinder 217 provided with apiston 218 which may be connected by suitable linkage means (not shown)to a throttle member on engine 170 for controlling at a remotelocation'the speed of engine 170 through fluid from the auxiliary lowpressure pump 192. The switch means 204, 206 and 208 may be located on acontrol panel to be operated by an operator and also at such goptrolpanel may be a volt meter 220 graduated in p.s.i., said volt member 220being connected to a pressure transducer 221 connected to the feed line175 at 222 so that the fluid pres-sure being delivered to the four-wayhydraulically operated valve 176 may be indicated.

In the example, engine 170 may be of 45 H.P. with maximum r.p. m. of1600. It will be understood that the rpm. of the fluid motors isdirectly dependent upon the amount of fluid in gallons per minutedelivered to the motors and the torque which the motors are capable ofdeliverying depends upon the pressure of the fluid delivered to thefluid motors. Thus, at low speeds a high torque value can be obtainedand when torque requirements are low, speed can be increased withoutchanging the amount of input H1. The fluid control system describedabove enables one or more pumps to be automatically or manuallydisconnected as torque requirements increase so that more fluid pressurecan be delivered by the pump as the total number of pumps utilized isdecreased and without change of input HP.

Assuming that operating conditions make it desirable to rotate the powerdevice at maximum r.p.m. the throttle switch 204 may be closed toactuate the throttle pilot valve 196 permitting auxiliary low pressurefluid to flow to the cylinder and piston means 217 and 218 to urge theengine throttle to maxi-mum advanced position until the engine isrunning at its maximum speed of 1600 rpm. In this condition the pumps1720, 17212 and 172C deliver fluid through their respective feed linesto four-way valve 176. Valve 176 is a spring loaded open centered valveand thus will normally pass fluid from the pumps direct- 1y back to thereservoir 174. When switch means 206 is closed in either direction atthe operators discretion for producing forward or reverse rotation ofthe swivel mandrel, the pilot valve 197 is actuated which deliversauxiliary pump fluid under pressure to valve 176 causing the valve toopen and deliver fluid from the pumps 172a, 17% and 1720 through theconduits 178 or 177 to the fluid motors.

Increase in torque demand to a point where 675 lbs. p.s.i. of pump 172cis exceeded causes the unloading valve 185 to open and to dischargefluid delivered by pump 172a back into the reservoir instead oftransmitting said fluid to feed line 175. Higher fluid pressure and thusmore torque is low available at the power device without overloading theengine 170 because only pumps 172a and 172b are effectively pumpingfluid. Under this condition in this example, the amount of fluiddelivered to the fluid motors is reduced from 90 gallons per minute to67% gallons per minute, and therefore the speed of the fluid motors willbe decreased.

By operation of the throttle switch means 204 the engine speed can bechanged between 1600 and 710 rpm. and such speed change will alsoregulate the amount of fluid delivered from any one ofpumps 172a, 172band 1720 or combination of pumps.

When torque requirements further increase so that 970 p.s.i is exceededgear pump 1721) will unload through unloading valve 184 and only pump172a will deliver fluid to the four-way valve 176. Under theseconditions fluid pressure may now be increased to 1500 psi. and theamount of fluid delivered will decrease to 45 gallons per minute. Thespeed and therefore oil delivery of this pump 172a can be furthercontrolled by further manipulation of the throttle switch means 204.

It will thus be apparent that throughout a wide range of torquerequirements and drilling speeds the fluid control means described abovepermit variable speed and torque control by selective manipulation ofthe throttle switch means 204'in order to control thespeed of the primemover engine 170 and by automatic or manual control through switch 208and pilot valve 198 of unloading valves 184 and 185.

Torque requirements may vary asdrilling progresses andthere is thepossibility that as torque load momentarstems.

ily decreases and fluid pressure simultaneously decreases therewith oneor both of the unloading valves 184 and 185 may close. Such closing ofthese unloading valves may bring into the fluid control system one orboth of the gear pumps 172b, 1720, which would again deliver oil to thefour-way valve 176 and increase the speed of the fluid motors. Such acondition may produce undesirable fluctuation of rotating speeds of thedrilling string andto prevent such undesirable speed fluctuation thepilot valve 198 is provided. When switch means 208 is closed, thethreeway speed change pilot valve 198, is energized to deliver auxiliarypurnp fluid to both unloading valves 184 and 185 through line 224. Aslong as switch means 208 is closed, auxiliary fluid pressure throughline 224 will maintain unloading valves 18.4 and 185 open and thusprevent speed fluctuations of the swivel stem at thehigher fluidpressure range where torque demand may vary.

It will be readily apparent that rotation of the swivel stem is reversedby closing the other contact of switch means 206 to actuate the pilotvalve 197 to its other position and to thus reverse the flow of fluidthrough conduits 177, 178 to the fluid motors. The position of theengine throttle may be controlled by positioning of the hydraulic piston218 in the double acting cylinder means 217 through momentary depressionof switch means 204. When the throttle switch means 204 is in neutralposition, the piston 21 8 does not move and the throttle will remain infixed position. Under non-varying load conditions, the engine speed Willbe constant, how ever, the engine may change its speed depending uponthe .load to which it is subjected.

It should also be noted that when speed control switch means 208 is.closed the unloading valves 184 and 185 remain open and only pump 172adelivers fluid to the fluid motors. Thus at a control panel selectivelylocated on .a drilling rig and comprising switch means 204, 206, 208 andpressure gage 220, an operator may read on the gage 220 fluid pressurebeing delivered to the fluid pumps and control through the switch meansthe torque and speed of the swivel mandrel carried by the power device20.

The advantages in operation of the above described power device 20 andfluid control means will be readily understood. When the power device issuspended from a drilling rig for drilling a well hole, the power deviceand associated fluid control means permit selected torque and speed ofrotation to be imparted to the drilling string through the three switchmeans 204, 206 and 208. The power device may be vertically movableduring a drilling operation and eliminates the necessity of long kellyFurthermore, since the power source for drilling comprises fluid motorsheld above the platform and since the fluid conduits to the motors areprovided with ample slack to be carried along derrick members, the spaceon the platform is free and open and not cluttered with chain drives andother drive equipment usually employed with other rotary drilling rigs.

The suspension of power device 20 above the hole also facilitatesassembly and disassembly of the drilling string. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3inclusive, the opening in the platform 16 may be provided with a slipadapter member to permit the use of pipe slips of usual construction tohold a pipe string in the well hole. In assembly, a pipe length 151 maybe placed with its lower end in socket of the pipe carrier and the upperend of the pipe length 151 may be inserted in the U-shaped member 157.With the top end of the drilling string held in the pipe slip adaptermember in the platform, the pipe length 151 may be swung in the pipecarrier into axially aligned position above the drill string and belowthe raised power device 20. The power device may then be lowered androtated so as to make up the threaded connection between the swivelmandrel and the top end of the pipe 151. After the connection is made,the power device may be slightly raised to lift the pipe length 151 outof the socket. The pipe carrier is thus released and may be returned toits initial position. The lower end of the pipe length 151 may be guidedto the coupling of the drill string. Slight lowering of the power deviceand rotation thereof will assemble the pipe length 151 with the drillingstring. After the connection has been properly made up, the drillingstring may then be raised so as to release the pipe slips and thedrilling operation continued by driving the power device in its raisedposition.

Disassembly of a pipe string may be made in substantially the reversemanner to that described for assembly of a pipe string. The drillingstring may be raised to a selected height so that the drilling string ata coupling below the length to be removed may be secured with pipe slipsin a pipe slip adapter member carried by the platform. The power devicemay be caused to rotate so as to release and unthread the pipe lengthfrom the coupling just above the pipe slips. The disconnected pipe maythen be lifted slightly and the pipe carriers swung into position sothat the bottom end of the disconnected pipe length may be inserted intothe socket on the carrier. The upper end may also be moved intoengagement with the upper U-shaped member 157. The lower end of the pipelength may be restrained against rotation by manual means while powerdevice is being unthreaded from the top end thereof by rotation impartedto the swivel mandrel. When the disconnected pipe length is free fromthe power device, the pipe carrier may be moved to the side of theplatform where the disconnected pipe length may be removed from the pipecarrier and racked in well known manner. The power device may then belowered to be temporarily threadedly interconnected with the upper endof the drill string held in the pipe slips. The drill string may then beraised and the same sequence of disassembly operations may be carriedout so as to disassemble another pipe length from the drilling string.

It will thus be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that theemployment of the combination or composite power swivel and power devicein the manner above described readily facilitates assembly anddisassembly of pipe and that such disassembly or assembly operation maybe carried out with greater ease and less danger than as has beenheretofore done.

The power device may be separated into a separate power swivel and aseparate power means so that the power swivel may be employed in wellderricks in usual manner. The power means of the power device may bereadily installed as a rotary table in a derrick platform. The adapterspool 92 at the bottom of the power housing is readily attachable towell equipment such as blowout preventers or the like provided at thetop of a well hole. When the power section is installed in the platformand is used as a rotary table, it will be readily understood that thefluid conduits feeding fluid to the fluid motors may be readily arrangedbelow the platform and out of the way of a drilling crew. The headportion of the rotary sleeve member provided in the power section isexposed above the platform and the tapered seat 79 therein may readilycooperate with a selected adapter member in order to permit a desiredwell operation. For example, in FIG. 5, such an adapter member isillustrated as a kelly bushing 80' of construction similar to that shownin FIG. 4. The kelly bushing in FIG. may be provided with a squaresection opening so as to receive an elongated stem 230 for a drillingoperation. The swivel section may be spaced above the power section andmay be connected to a kelly stern 220 in usual manner.

When the power section is used as a rotary table during assembly anddisassembly of pipe from a drill string, a kelly bushing 80' may beremoved and in its place may be provided a slip adapter member 232 whichseats on the tapered seat 79 of the headed port-ion of the rotary sleevemember 76 in virtually the same manner as kelly bushing. The slipadapter member 232 is provided with an internal tapered slip-receivingface 233 spaced from a tr ng 234 which passes therethrough and which mayextend slightly above the top face of the headed portion of the rotarymember. In FIG. 6, an exemplary pipe slip means 236 is shown engaging adrill string 234 with the pipe slips inserted into the pipe slip adaptermember so as to hold a drill string in suspension in a well hole. Itwill thus be apparent that when the swivel section and power section aredisassembled, the power section may be utilized as a rotary table in aconvenient manner.

It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that one ormore fluid motors may be employed to drive the power section and thatvarious fluid control means may be used to impart a desired torque andspeed to the fluid motors. It will also be understood that theinterconnected power swivel section and the power section may bemodified in construction and that gear means for transmitting the powerfrom the fluid motors to the rotary sleeve member and to the swivelmandrel may be modified and changed.

It will be also understood that the torque reaction means forrestraining the power section against rotation when suspended within awell derrick may be of diiferent construction and under some conditionsof operation may not require a rigid torque column as shown. For examplethe torque reaction means may include a pair of vertically extendingparallel flexible torque absorbing members such as wire cables connectedat their bottom ends to the torque floor and at their top ends toselected points on the derrick structure above the fioor. The wirecables may be angularly spaced about the vertical path of travel of thepower section and may include diametrically opposed cables. A rigidtorque member connected to the power section may be provided with asuitable roller assembly at its outer end for providing a verticallymovable connection to an associated wire cable. The roller assembly maybe of suitable construction and preferably may be quickly detachablefrom the wire cable by a suitable quick opening device. It will beunderstood that the torque reaction means described above and shown inthe drawings is exemplary only.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, manychanges in construction and widely difiering embodiments andapplications of the invention will suggest themselves without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and thedescription herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be inany sense limiting.

We claim:

1. A composite separable power device adapted to be supported from atraveling block on a drilling rig for well operations, the combinationof: a swivel means and a power means interconnected in a unitaryassembly; said swivel means comprising a swivel housing provided with aconnection to a traveling block, a swivel mandrel mounted for rotationin said swivel housing and having a mandrel portion projectingdownwardly and below the housing, said mandrel portion including meansfor connection to a drilling string and means for a driving connectionto said power means between said rotatable mounting of the swivel meansand the connecting means for the drill string; said power meansincluding a power housing attached to the bottom portion of said swivelhousing, a sleeve member rotatably mounted in said power housing andreceiving therewithin said mandrel portion of said swivel mandrel, meansinterconnecting the sleeve member and the drive connection means on theswivel mandrel portion, motor means carried by the power housing belowthe swivel housing, and drive means interconnecting the motor means andthe sleeve member.

2. A power device as stated in claim 1 wherein said sleeve memberincludes a sleeve head projecting above said power housing and into saidswivel housing when said swivel means and power means are assembled as aunit, said sleeve head having a tapered seat serving as E l 12 a rotarytable when said swivel means and power means References Cited in thefile of this patent are separated- UNITED STATES PATENTS 3. A powerdevice as stated in claim 1 including an adaptor spool connected to thebottom of said power 417352 Bartholomew 1889 housing, said Spool havingan opening receiving said 5 Chapman 1918 mandrel portion and havingmeans adapted to be con- 13/5092 Hanson nected to a floor on a drillingrig whereby said power 1377575 Greve May 1921 means is adapted for useas a rotary table when said 7 Gtfleve 1921 swivel means is separatedtherefrom. 1878141 Hlld Sept 1932 4. A device as stated in claim 1including in com-bi- 10 $904256 Sheldon 1933 natio therewith a singlerigid torque bar of polygonal Zlelen 1937 2,200,075 Caldwell May 7, 1940sectlon having a plurality of longitudlnally extending 2265 987 Ande Sonet a1 Dec 16 1941 side faces extending parallel to the path of travel ofthe 2 895 vossgler et a1 1942 traveling block and supported from adrilling rig, torque 2516182 Bury July' 1950 means carried by the powerhousing and extending lat- 15 2'547609 gggiiLijIjjjIjl APR 1951 erallytherefrom and means at the end of said torque 3 1 Bechler Apr 5 meansrollably engaging the side faces of the torque bar. 2 23 470 O n F b 171953 5. A device as stated in claim 4 wherein the torque 2,694 283Nubling N 16, 1954 bar includes pivotal mounting means, a pipe carriercOn- 20 2,772,074 Stoffa Nov. 27, 1956 nected to said pivotal mountingmeans, said pipe carrier 2,781,185 Robbins Feb. 12, 1957 including armmeans movable to a position at the path 2,807,441 Sewell Sept. 24, 1957of the traveling block. 2,891,771 Ashton June 23, 1959

